The Gauge of Evangelism
Take the 31-word challenge! Get your phone or a piece of paper and write a summary of the gospel that you have heard preached in your assembly over the last year. Or write an honest summary of the message you personally have shared with others in private conversations or in public preaching. Remember, you only have 31 words.
Many in the “evangelical world” would say, “I tell people to give their hearts to Jesus.” Or, “I lead people to repeat the ‘Sinner’s prayer.’” Or, “I give an altar call for people to come to the front and accept Jesus into their hearts.” Or, “I challenge people to make a commitment to Christ.”
And you, brother? Would a truthful summary of your gospel sermons be, “I warn people they are headed for hell”? Or, “I explain why people must be saved”? Or, “I tell people they simply need to believe”?
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he laid out his modus operandi for sharing the gospel. As for his mission, he said, “Christ sent me … to preach the gospel” (1Co 1:17).1 As for his manner, he would speak “not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (v17). As for the content of his preaching, it was “the message of the cross” (v18 NKJV). As for his method, he said, “We preach [publicly herald and proclaim] Christ crucified” (v23). Notice that in every aspect he directed people to Christ and the value of His sacrifice.
Thus, after spending time in Corinth, Paul reminded the believers of “the gospel which I preached unto you” (15:1). He then summed up a year-and-a-half’s worth of his gospel messages in 31 words: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen” (vv3-5). The repeated focus in Paul’s mission, motives, methods and manner was “the cross of Christ.” Therefore, evangelism, both personal and private, that does not direct people to the Savior and His work on the cross is not biblical evangelism.
The Goal of Evangelism
One dangerous error in the above examples is that they place the focus on something people do to bring about their salvation. Often you can hear it in expressions such as “I gave my heart,” “I made a commitment,” “I prayed the prayer,” or “I went to the front.” Sadly, way too often a person’s testimony is “I believed” or “I accepted,” when they are just believing in their own believing. Perhaps unintentionally, an overemphasis on believing in preaching has led to the turning of faith into a work.
No one would dispute that Paul loved lost souls. He even said, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved” (Rom 10:1). Yes, at times Paul “reasoned … out of the scriptures” (Act 17:2). He also presented sin, lostness, eternal consequences and faith. When speaking to Felix, Paul spoke about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” (Act 24:25 NKJV). To the Ephesians he preached “repentance toward God, and faith [believing] toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Act 20:21). Obviously, there are specific occasions when specialized and focused messages are required to address specific needs. However, may we seek to imitate Paul’s example as his clear burden was to preach “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1Co 2:2).
The Greatness of Evangelism
The gospel message is more powerful than psychology and philosophy combined. Paul said to the Corinthians, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1Co 1:18 NKJV). What is it in the gospel message that translates perishing souls into saved souls? It is the unique, eternity-transforming “message of the cross.”
The true gospel not only changed the Corinthians’ eternal destiny; it also changed their lives. When Paul spoke of the unrighteous, fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners (1Co 6:9-10), he added, “And such were some of you.” What changed their lives so radically? A decision? A prayer? A commitment? Opening their hearts? Believing? No, a thousand times No! It was the power of God through the message of the cross.
So, sister, when you share the gospel with fellow students, with fellow workers or with your own children, how much do you share verses about the Lord Jesus and His death at the cross? All of us who try to preach the gospel should ask ourselves, Could we preach for 20 minutes only about the person of Christ and His redeeming blood? Fellow believer, do you know and quote more verses about believing than you do about the Savior? Look at the gospel preachers in the Book of Acts. Peter, Stephen, Philip and Paul preached to different audiences from different angles, but they all ended up at the death and resurrection of Christ.
Therefore, we must ask, Is a lack of preaching about Christ and the cross and a corresponding overemphasis on believing contributing to false professions where souls think they are saved but are only just believing in their believing? The Lord Jesus warned of false professions using many figures, including soils, fish, wheat, house foundations, oil lamps, etc. Again, how can we avoid contributing to this crisis in Christianity?
Imagine convincing a non-swimmer that they mistakenly went beyond buoy markers in a lake. Then, you help them see they are about to sink to the bottom. At that point, do you give discourses on how to trust a life preserver? Suppose the same non-swimmer realizes he has erred, he is about to drown, and that he is helpless. At that point, just point out the life preserver. Yes, he must consciously and voluntarily put his faith in it. However, that step will occur much more easily when he understands what it is, how it works, and what it can do for him.
It is the same with the gospel. We must present sin using clear biblical texts. We must present the realities of accountability, judgment and eternity. We must command souls to repent and believe in the Savior. But may God preserve us from a Christ-less gospel, and may God also preserve us from a cross-less gospel. Let’s all renew our commitment to evangelize like Paul and preach “Christ, and him crucified” (1Co 2:2).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
